the patrician - october 2013

THE PATRICIANThe Victoria Flying Club ~ Aviation Excellence Since 1946

OCTOBER 2013

GROUNDSCHOOL SCHEDULES | CLUB NEWS | FIRST SOLOS | PHOTO CONTEST

Never mind pie in Chilliwack, let’s go for lunch at Cowichan Lake!Club operated FSTY at Cowichan Lake Marina. Photo: Howard Peng

1October 2013 www.fl yvfc.com

“To promote fl ying and aviation in general, and to teach and train persons in the art and science of

fl ying and navigating and operating all manner of heavier-than-air aircraft.”

(Victoria Flying Club Incorporation Bylaws, 1946)

Board of Directors

President.........................................Don DevenneyVice President...........................Ramona ReynoldsSecretary......................................Colin WilliamsonTreasurer...........................................Wayne CliftonDirectors..........................................Dave Gagliardi Steve Demy

Dave Gustafson Cal MjolsnessGeneral Manager.................................Gerry MantsChief Flying Instructor....................Graham Palmer

1852 Canso RoadSidney, BC V8L 5V5

www.fl yvfc.cominfo@fl yvfc.com

Phone: 250-656-2833Fax: 250-655-0910

Editor:Christie [email protected] Design & [email protected]

In This Issue

3 CADORS Corner

7 Fall Open House Photos

10 VFC Alumni

11 Gettin’ There - Courteney Airpark

15 COPA News and Fly-out Events

The Patrician accepts unsolicited submissions.

This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, with prior permission of the publisher or author. The opinions expressed are strictly those of the authors.

THE PATRICIANMonthly Newsletter of The Victoria Flying Club - Aviation Excellence Since 1946

OCTOBER 2013

Reminders• The VFC offi ce is currently open from

Monday to Friday, from 8am to 7pm.

• If you have booked a fl ight that will occur after hours, please call the offi ce while the staff is there to make the appropriate arrangements.

• Now is a great time to complete your Night Rating! It’s getting dark earlier, and the weather is still generally good. Talk to your instructor today to get going! Note: The quiet hours pricing remains in effect, making a Night Rating even easier!

• Don’t forget to fall back an hour with the time change occurring on Sunday No-vember 3rd. Don’t be the early bird!

Aviation Excellence Since 1946 2 October 2013

VFC News

News from VFC

Coming Soon!We’ve been receiving lots of feedback from our members and it has been really helpful for us as we plan ahead for future events and programs.

One of the things we are hearing is that there is a desire for more courses that will be helpful for our members, after they have completed their formal training. We currently developing some material, and will soon be offering a Co-Pilot’s course, a course on Flying to the US, and several more as well.

Dates and details will be made available soon. Watch The Patrician for more in-formation, and register as soon as you can. We expect these seminars to fi ll up quickly!

October 2013 3 www.fl yvfc.com

Flight Training

CADORS CORNER By: Graham Palmer, CFI

In this month’s column we will focus on the Airspace over the Gulf Islands stretching from the southeast at East Point on Saturna Island towards the northwest along the southern edge of the Strait of Georgia towards Gabriola Island and Nanaimo.

Since NAV Canada implemented their “Airspace Redesign” in July 2009 in preparation for the 2010 Winter Olympics, Pilots have been plagued with CADORs reports when choosing to navigate through this area without contacting Victoria Tower or Victoria Terminal.

Interoperating the intricacies of the delineation of this Airspace can be challenging at fi rst glance. To the west of East Point at Mt. Warburton Pike on Saturna Island, Victoria Tower Class “D” Airspace begins at 1,200’ up to 2,500’ and extends

westward along Saturna, Pender, Mayne and Galiano Island up to Ganges Harbour on Saltspring Island. Above this same area, from 2,500’ up to 12,500’ is Victo-ria Class “C” Airspace which also extends beyond Ganges Harbour northwestward up to Kuper, Thetis, Valdez, and Gabriola Island.

One of the most troublesome and awkward facets of this Airspace is what is referred to by Pilots affec-tionately as the “Saw Tooth”. Above the Nanaimo Class E Airspace is a “notch” extending the Victoria Terminal Class C Airspace to

4 October 2013Aviation Excellence Since 1946

Flight Training

accommodate IFR Traffi c on ap-proach to the Nanaimo Airport. Here many unknowingly “Chart-Folded-Up-and-Put-Away” Pilots transit up and down the Island overhead the Nanaimo Airport with-out contacting Nanaimo Radio, or Victoria Terminal. Inevitably these Pilots fi nd themself responding to a CADORs Report after violating Airspace.

Additionally, what makes this area more interesting is that for over 10 years there has been a Noise Abatement Procedure in effect over the Gulf Islands. Prompted by the Island’s Trust, and published in the Canadian Flight Supplement (CFS) under Planning (C23), this proce-dure requests Pilots to “Operate their aircraft in the most community friendly manner”, and avoid over-fl ying the Gulf Islands below 2,000’ ASL unless for the purpose of take-off and landing. Keep in

mind that this is not a compulsory requirement by regulation, but is a voluntary recommendation for “Noise Sensitive Islanders”.

With the recent release of the 38th Edition of the Vancouver VTA, the “Gulf Islands National Parks Re-serve” has been delineated with a magenta line. Interpreting this change guides Pilots towards the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) RAC 1.14.5, which sug-gests that Pilots should not overfl y National, Provincial and Municipal Parks, Reserves and Refuges below 2,000’ AGL. Keep in mind that the only governing regulation is CARs 602.14 “Minimum Altitudes & Distances”, stipulating that over a built-up area that: “Except where conducting take-off, approach and landing that aeroplanes shall be fl own no lower than 1000’ above the highest obstacle located within a horizontal distance of 2,000’ from the aeroplane”.

For wheeled aeroplanes operating from the various airstrips, and for seaplane traffi c operating from the various harbours, and registered water aerodromes, and for helicop-ters operating from heliports in the Gulf Islands, it appears somewhat more complex. The National Parks of Canada “Aircraft Access Regu-lations”, prohibit the landing and take-off of aircraft within the bound-aries of a National Park. A closer examination of this subject reveals that while this entire area has been delineated as a “National Park” on the Vancouver VTA, in reality this area has been delineated to en-compass a proverbial “mine-fi eld” of several smaller Parks as seen in the diagram below. It is within these individual Park Boundaries that aircraft are not permitted to take-off and land without an “Air-craft Access” Permit.

What contributes to the complexity of this topic is that CARs 602.96(4) states:“Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate air traffi c control unit, no pilot-in-command shall operate an aircraft at an altitude of less than 2,000 feet over an aerodrome”. Keep in mind that there are several marked aerodromes, water aero-dromes, and heliports in the Gulf Islands on the Vancouver VTA.

Keep in mind that you cannot overfl y the Nanaimo Airport without talking to anyone; and regardless of Regulation or recommendation, it is always wisest to plan to overfl y the Gulf Islands above 2000’ ASL. Above this altitude, always plan to communicate with Victoria Tower, or Victoria Terminal. And always re-member the Airspace golden rule… “It’s always best to beg ATC for permission, than to answer CADORs for forgiveness”.


Mystery Aircraft

September Mystery Identifi ed

From Tim:

The Bristol Belvedere was a tactical helicopter produced in the UK for the RAF and 26 saw ser-vice from 1961 to 1969. It had a payload of 6000 lbs and could carry 19 fully equipped troops.

Correctly identifi ed by: Daryl Williams, Tim Hamblin

OCTOBER MYSTERY AIRCRAFTCan you identify the aircraft shown here?

Email: [email protected]


VFC Achievements

Joey MartinInstructor:Brady Tucker

Peter BainInstructor: Jeff Bujas

Silvia ZilkerInstructor: Sean Tyrell

Tyler RobinsonInstructor: Tyler Bishop

“Without disruption of air traffi c, these fearless, forthright, indomitable and courageous individuals did venture into the wild blue yonder in fl ying machines. Furthermore, these skilful ndividuals did safely land said fl ying machines at Victoria International Airport, incurring no signifi cant damage to self or machine,

thus completing fi rst solo fl ights.”


VFC News

The Victoria Flying Club opened its doors on Saturday September 21, and welcomed pilots, veterans, aviation professionals, and wannabe pilots from every walk of life. With the weather holding off until the end of the day, our fall Open House was a great success.

As always, there was a line up to try out the Redbird Flight Simulator. A number of excited potential pilots also enjoyed Discovery Flights, and a chance to take control of an aircraft for the fi rst time. Lots of our VFC mem-bers were on hand to enjoy the social atmosphere and the delicious treats. And, as always, we were excited to have some amazing aircraft on our ramp, including a T-28, and a Nan-chang.

The hi-light of the day was being able to welcome a number of new mem-bers to the fl ying club. We can’t wait to see these new pilots earn their wings!

VFC FALL OPEN HOUSE


VFC News

88ion Excellence Since 1946

Thanks to Ramona Reynolds for sharing her photos of a great day at VFC!

Be sure to watch for our next open house in May and plan to join us as we share our love of fl ying with the community.


VFC Achievements

New MembersSandra RahiGiles Lansfi eldLinden HooverChris PerraultSimeon BlandCheryl CottrellDouglas BradenChristopher CarneyRowan HollandMatthew McLeanBonnie TidswellSean GemmillJames GemmillAlexander PainterDavid FinlayTrond HedlandShaun PellMartin ConderGraham BatchelorRonald JohnsJason KaneDayton ParsonsRichard BarnardKevin McManusSteve MorleyMeghan LobbJulien Criticopoulos

First SolosSilvia ZilkerTyler RobinsonPeter BainJoey Martin

PPL Flight TestJessica JamesRaquel LandertMatt Bryce

PPL Written Brittany MayoJosh SandfordAlethia ForsbergHarry Evans

PPL LicenseBrittany MayoJosh SandfordMatt BryceHarry Evans

Multi Engine Flight TestJeff Bujas

IFR Flight TestKim Sterling

VFC MEMBER ACHIEVEMENTS

VFC SMILE CARDS Pick up your smile card today at the VFC offi ce, and 5% of your grocery purchase will go towards creating scholarships and awards for VFC members. Th ank-you Th rift y Foods! To date, the Victoria Flying Club has received over $12,000 from the Th rift y Foods Smile Card program. Th ese funds have been appreciated by all members of the club. Th ank-you Th rift y Foods!

Join VFC online!

Keep up to date on all the latest news and

events at VFC!

SubmissionRequest

Email: [email protected]

Photos, stories, letters, articles,

adventures, classifi ed ads all accepted.


VFC Alumni

VFC AlumniAre you a VFC Alumni cur-rently employed in the avia-tion industry?

We would love to hear from you!

Email a photo to [email protected] with the following information...

1. Your hometown or where you are from.

2. What year you fi nished your training at VFC.

3. Your current position and what aircraft you fl y.

711 A Broughton Street(street level, by Victoria Public Library)

Victoria BC V8W 1E2


Pilot Briefi ng

GETTIN’ THEREGETTIN’ THEREaviation information for local destinationsDestination: Courtenay Airpark (CAH3)NOTE: Pilots fl ying Club aircraftmust obtain permission from theCFI or designate EACH timethey fl y in to Courtenay Airpark.

Why Go?

Courtenay Airpark is close to downtown Courtenay and a fi ve minute walk to numerous amenities – hotels, restaurants, shopping, etc. There’s so much you can do in the Comox Valley and Courtenay Airpark is a great gateway. Courtenay is about an hour or so away and it’s a very scenic fl ight. However…

Courtenay Airpark has a some-what small runway (1,800’ x 60’) and some obstacles which can make it a challenge to land there, even for an experienced pilot. Departures are similar; you wouldn’t want to try and fl y a fully loaded C-172 out of there on a hot day. Because of these limitations, those of you fl ying Club aircraft will only receive CFI approval to fl y into Cour-tenay Airpark when you have a maximum loading of 1 pilot and two passengers. Finally, Courtenay Airpark sits “under” Comox airspace so you’ve got to ensure you’re aware of their departure / arrival procedures.

Getting There

There are arrival and routing procedures for VFR traffi c head-ed to the Comox area published in the CFS. You’ll want to be familiar with these procedures and have them available to you during the fl ight. Also, check out the website for the Courtenay Airpark (link is below) – it’s re-ally informative.

When you’re headed to Courte-nay Airpark you’ll depart Victoria and head north much as you would if you were going to Na-naimo, Qualicum Beach, etc.

(image from courtenayairpark.com)


Pilot Briefi ng

Printed copies of all the Gettin’ There articles are available. You can pick them up at the Customer Service at the Club. Watch for future install-ments of Gettin’ There in upcoming issues of The Patrician.

If you’re in Victoria Terminal’s airspace you can expect to be passed to Comox Terminal somewhere around Nanoose Bay. Whether in Terminal or not somewhere around Bowser, a town on the shoreline just south of Deep Bay / Denman Island, you’ll make your initial call to Comox Tower. (Remem-ber to listen to the Comox ATIS before you call them). Comox will likely route you along the “Highway Route” and instruct you to call them at Royston. As you continue towards Royston it’s a good idea to start moni-toring Courtenay’s frequency (123.35 MHz at time of writ-ing) so you’ve got an idea of what’s happening in the area. Once you call them at Royston Comox will release you for your approach into Courtenay. Change frequencies and make your initial calls to the Courte-nay Airpark traffi c.

Join the circuit midfi eld when ar-riving from the south. Circuit alti-tude is 800 ft and you need to ensure that you remain clear of the ridge to the north for noise abatement purposes. Make your radio calls as appropriate and get yourself set up for land-ing. Yes, this IS a short fi eld landing!

After landing, exit the runway and taxi to the visitor parking ar-eas. Short Term Visitor parking is located in front of the Pilots Lounge. Over-night parking is located in a designated grassed area south of runway 13/31 and east of the main hangar line.

Don’t forget to visit the Pilots Lounge!

Local Knowledge

Flying into Courtenay can be complicated however it IS do-able. Here are a few things to be aware of that you may not fi nd written down:

• There is a footbridge on the approach path to Rwy 13 that you have to clear.

• On the charts, at the north end of Denman Island, you’ll see a sand spit island named “Sandy Island”. Nobody, and that includes Comox Tower, calls it Sandy Island; the locals all refer to it as “Tree Island”.

• Courtenay can be a busy spot with a variety of small aircraft arriving and departing. You may hear non-standard ra-dio procedures, unfamiliar place names and some short-cuts be-ing taken. Pay attention, make your required radio calls, follow

the appropriate procedures and you’ll make out just fi ne.

Weather

Comox is right next door and they have a METAR and a TAF so good weather information is available. In addition, the Courtenay Airpark website has several webcams that will give you a visual idea of current conditions.

Important Links & Contacts

Courtenay Airpark Associa-tion (great site!): www.courtenayairpark.com


Flight Training

Monday and Wednesday 1900-2200Victoria Flying Club Classroom

NOTE: NO GROUNDSCHOOL ON OCTOBER 14, OR NOVEMBER 11

DATE TOPIC INSTRUCTOR

Oct 02 Airframes and Engines Sean T. 07 Systems and Flight Instruments Sean T. 09 Human Factors and Pilot Decision Making Laura 16 Radio and Electronic Theory Sean T. 21 Meteorology Tyler 23 Meteorology Tyler 28 Meteorology Tyler 30 Meteorology TylerNov 04 Meteorology Tyler 06 Meteorology Tyler 13 Flight Operations Colin 18 Flight Operations Colin 20 Navigation Brendan 25 Navigation Brendan 27 Navigation BrendanDec 02 ATC Jason G. 04 Review Colin

To Register for Groundschool, or to purchase a Groundschool Kit, please contact the Victoria Flying Club offi ce at info@fl yvfc.com or 250-656-2833.

PRIVATE PILOT GROUNDSCHOOL


Flight Training

VICTORIA FLYING CLUB 1852 CANSO RD. SIDNEY BC 250-656-2833 fl yvfc.com

WATCH YOUR FUTURE TAKE FLIGHTSTART YOUR CAREER IN AVIATION TODAY

Did you know....• You can obtain your Private Pilot’s Licence from the Victoria

Flying Club before you graduate highschool?• Within two years of graduation, you can complete your Commercial Pilot’s Licence AND a Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Victoria? • Commercial fl ight training at VFC meets the requirements

for the Canada Student Loans Program and StudentAid BC?• Victoria Flying Club alumni are currently fl ying for international airlines, charter companies, and the military?

Your future is cleared for take off!


Events

Thanksgiving - Monday, October 14thOpen to ALL aviation enthusiasts!

Chilliwack / Rowena’s

Passengers are welcome to come along! Seats are offered at cost and are limited. Email to reserve.

Club Pilots are eligible to rent at a discount!Team up with other members to further reduce costs.

Owners who are VFC members Take passengers for company and cost sharing.

Contact [email protected] to register

COPA Flight 6 and the Victoria Flying Club Present...

Get out of the circuit!

CATCH THE FLYOUT BUG.

Have you ever been to an unregistered aerodrome? If not, here is an opportunity for you to push your boundaries and explore new horizons!

We are planning our October fly-out to Chilliwack with an optional and highly encouraged stop at Rowena's. For those who are not feeling 100% comfortable with going to Rowena's, please let us know and we will try to pair you up with a pilot who will be going there. VFC aircraft will not be permitted to land at Rowena's,

as it is an unregistered aerodrome (see VFC Member Rules and Regulations).

Rowena's; which used to be called Pretty's is a 2,100ft gravel strip. It is located near Harrison Hot Springs and close to / part of Sandpiper Golf Course.

Want to bring back pie to family and friends? Order your pie when you sign up and it will be ready when you land!

October 201316

Events

Aviation Excellence Since 1946

The Victoria chapter of COPA is running two separate programs: (You do NOT have to be a COPA member to participate in either activity.)

(1) the Fly-Out Bug program This is a monthly fl y-out which is organised for really anyone in the region to participate in. We have a few more fl y-outs this year: Thanksgiving, Remem-brance Day and Boxing Day - please stay tuned for more details on each. To be included on the Fly-Out Bug email distri-bution list, contact: fl [email protected].

(2) our local “Flight” which was resurrected just one year ago, is really a social / educational meeting each month where

pilots (and aviation enthusiasts) gather at or near the airport for an hour or two to discuss in-teresting topics. For anyone who is a recent graduate, these monthly meetings are a great way to maintain and continue your ground-school knowl-edge as well as learn about all sorts of aspects of fl ying that offi cial ground school doesn’t even touch on. We have had a number of interesting topics this past year including: a photo journal of Firat & Tiffany’s trip to Alaska and Inuvik, a guest lec-ture on local airspace from ATC, presentations on: US Customs procedures, weather and fl ight planning and this month on aviation medicine and pilot fl ight fi tness (see details below.)

Our local fl ight is also busy trying to arrange a “COPA for Kids” event (which sadly was recently weathered out today but will no doubt be resched-uled.) Basically as a group we annex off a small area of ramp and coordinate the fl ights of kids (ages 8-17) for a 0.2 sight see-ing fl ight, to give them a gentle introduction to GA.

Anyway program (2) the COPA Flight: pilot presentations & activities - has it’s own separate email address & list. If you are not signed up, but would like to sign up, please just send us a note at copafl [email protected] Remember, you are not required to be a COPA member to join or participate!

UPDATES FROM COPA FLIGHT 6

Fly between Victoria and destinations on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. Charter an aircraft and take up to 3 people.

(restrictions apply)

For more information or to book a fl ightEmail: tedk@fl yvfc.comCall: 1-250-474-0213

17October 2013 www.fl yvfc.com

Photo of the Month

Thanks to Andrew Yan for submitting this month’s winning photo (above). A gorgeous shot of a YYJ sunset behind a WestJet 737. Send your best aviation photo to [email protected] for your chance to win great Pilot Shop prizes. Every submission is entered into a yearly draw for a $100 VFC Gift Certfi cate. Keep your camera in your fl ight bag!

October 2013Aviation Excellence Since 1946

VFC News

18

VFC member Dan Waldie recently attended the Reno Air Races. He has promised us an article in the near future, and we are really looking forward to it. Here’s why....

Dan is pictured above with Bob Hoover, aviation hall of fame member, and the original pace plane pilot of the Reno Air Races. In the background is his P51-D “Old Yeller” that he performed in all over north america in the past 50 years. Bob was one of the many

guests at a RARA fundraiser on Saturday Sept. 14 that included Clay Lacy, Hoot Gibson, Tiger Destefani and many others. Bob Hoover is 91 years old. He also fl ew chase plane for Chuck Yeager when Yeager broke the sound barrier. Wow!

If there’s one thing we know, it’s that most pilots are also great story tellers, and most pilots also appreciate a good story!

Do you have an interesting story to share with the readers

of The Patrician? If you have fl own somewhere interesting, attended an event, or learned an important lesson, we want to hear from you. If you just want to share a collection of photos, that’s great too! The Patrician welcomes submissions from all aviation enthusiasts, VFC mem-bership not required.

Email your story or article ideas to: [email protected] and we’ll work you into the editorial calendar. We can’t wait to hear your story!

SHARE YOUR STORIES WITH US!


Aircraft - Accomodation - Aviation Books and Gear - Help Wanted - MiscellaneousEmail the details of your FREE Ad to: [email protected]

VFC Classifi eds

AIRCRAFT FOR SALE!Offers on $30,000

Economical fun 1966 Alon A2 Aircoupe2 Radios, intercom GPS TTSN 2370.2

TTS Major O/H Continental 90 HP with all new components 223.0Photos of all stages during O/H.

All Logs since new! Only reason for selling due to unexpected illness!Al Whalley 250-380-2502

email alonfl [email protected]

the patrician - october 2013

Documents

fl yvfc

club aviation excellence

fl ight

science of fl ying

club operated fsty

club incorporation bylaws

vfc offi ce

vfc alumni